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Strengthened collaboration for integrated ocean governance in the Wider Caribbean

Collaborating for success with the UNDP/GEF PROCARIBE+ Project

By IW:LEARN

December 20^th, 2023

The countdown towards the operationalization of a regional “Ocean Coordination Mechanism” (OCM) for the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems has started.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the OCM was opened for signature by countries and intergovernmental organizations on 6 October 2023, during the High-Level Ministerial Segment hosted by the Governments of Aruba and the Netherlands, as part of the Conference of Parties (COP) to the Cartagena Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment in the Wider Caribbean, organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The main objective of the MoU is to establish a coordination mechanism that supports integrated ocean governance by strengthening the coordination and collaboration among countries and organizations within the MoU Area. This initiative is an essential part of the Signatories' efforts to achieve and safeguard healthy marine and coastal ecosystems, which are vital for human well-being and sustainable ocean-based economies that are resilient to climate change.

Strengthened collaboration for integrated ocean governance in the Wider Caribbean

The OCM is a groundbreaking mechanism that aligns with the shared vision of the Signatories articulated in the 10-year regional Strategic Action Programme (the "CLME+ SAP"), previously developed with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) (CLME Project, 2009-2013). The OCM is expected to support the region in achieving relevant regional and global commitments, such as the SDGs and the new Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework.

The GEF and partners' funding and support for the OCM's operations and work programme will be channeled through the new 5-year UNDP/GEF PROCARIBE+ Project, executed by UNOPS, with the regional PROCARIBE+ Project Management and Coordination Unit serving as the Secretariat to the OCM during this period.

The OCM MoU was ceremonially opened for signature.

In the photo, from left to right: H.E. Gilmar Pisas, Prime Minister of Curacao; H.E. Ursel Arends, Vice Prime Minister of Aruba; H.E. Christianne van der Wal-Zeggelink, Minister for Nature and Nitrogen of the Netherlands; and Mr. Patrick Debels, Regional Coordinator, UNDP/GEF PROCARIBE+ Project and Secretariat of the Interim Coordination Mechanism.

The OCM will commence once a minimum of 17 States or Territories and 6 Inter-Governmental Organizations (IGOs) with a mandate related to the region's marine environment have signed the OCM MoU. On the first day of the opening for signature of the MoU, three countries and three IGOs immediately proceeded to sign the MoU, recognizing the urgent need to expedite the mechanism's operationalization. The ongoing progress towards reaching the necessary number of signatures to kickstart the OCM can be tracked on the CLME+ Hub. To date, Aruba, Curaçao, the Netherlands, the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), the Central American Fisheries and Aquaculture Organisation (OSPESCA), the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD), and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission have already signed the MoU. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (IOC-UNESCO) have also issued a declaration of intent to sign the MoU as soon as possible. For more information on the preparatory process leading towards the OCM MoU and other efforts to improve regional ocean governance in the Wider Caribbean Region, visit the CLME+ Hub.

About PROCARIBE+

The 5-year GEF/UNDP PROCARIBE+ Project (2023-2028), executed by UNOPS under its Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) global portfolio, aims to protect, restore and harness the natural coastal and marine capital of the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems (CLME+/Wider Caribbean region). The project aims to stimulate investments in a climate-resilient, sustainable Blue Economy by promoting collaboration and coordination in the region and establishing broad-based partnerships. PROCARIBE+ will work towards enabling sustainable and resilient ocean-based (blue) economies by scaling up actions on Marine Spatial Planning, marine conservation (such as MPAs, OECMs), Blue Carbon, sustainable fisheries, community grants, and through enhanced regional ocean governance. This effort will include capacity building, improved marine data, information and knowledge management, strategic planning, and environmental and socio-economic reporting.

For more information on the PROCARIBE+ Project, please contact the Regional Coordinator, Patrick Debels (patrickd@unops.org and info@procaribeplus.org).